Kollam

Kollam District is situated on the South west coast of kerala. The District is bound on the north by Alappuzha and north east by Pathanamthitta Districts on the east by Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu, on the South by the Thiruvavanathapuram District and on the west by Arabian sea. Two rivers Kallada and Ithikkara flows through this District. The Sasthamcotta lake, the only major fresh water lake in the state is in Kollam District.
General Information		How to get there
District Area :	2491 Sq.Km.	Air -->	The nearest airport, Thiruvananthapuram is 71 Kms away
District Population :	25,84,118
Climate :	Tropical
Rainfall :	270 Cms. (Annual)	Rail-->	Kollam (Quilin) is connected by rail with several important cities.
Mean Max.Temperature :	36.0 Deg.C.
Mean Min.Temperature:	22.4 Deg.C.	Road-->	Kollam (Quilon) is connected by road with many tourist centers in India.
Clothing :	Tropical
Tourist Season :	August to March
The Soil of the District may be classified as sandy loams, larerite and forest soil. The costal belt has sandy loams and the forest soil is found in the eastern forest belt. The rest of the district is laterite soil. The District has a tropical humid climate with an oppressive summer and plentiful seasonal rainfall. The hot season., lasting from March to May is followed by the South West Monsoon from June to September. The rest of the year is generally dry. Kollam, 71 km away from Trivandrum is fairly important for the State's trade and commerce and is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the State's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants. Kollam District has a large area under forest. Pathanapuram, Anchal, Kottarakkara and Chadayamangalam are blocks having large areas of forest. The forest divisions are at Thenmala and Punalur. For all its natural gifts of wide rivers, dominant hills and forest, lakes and plains, there is the throb of a vibrant industrial activity that combines with equanimity the wonders of the modern age with the traces of a bygone era. Short History of Kollam Kollam or Quilon, an old sea port town on the Arabian coast , stands on the Ashtamudi lake. Kollam , the erstwhile Desinganadu, had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Batuta, as one of the five ports , which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of twenty four years, in the 14th century. The rulers of Kollam (Desinganadu) and China , exchange embassies and there was flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam. Merchant Sulaiman of Siraf in Persia ( 9th Century) found Kollam to be the only port in India , touched by the huge Chinese junks , on his way from Carton of Persian Gulf. Marco Polo, the great Venician traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublahan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading center at Kollam in 1502. Then came the Dutch followed by the British in 1795. A British garrison was stationed at Kollam in pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and the British. Velu Thampi Dalawa of  Travancore, did much for the improvement of the Kollam town. He build new bazaars and invited merchants from Madras and Thirunelveli to settle here. Kollam later became the capital of the enlightened and liberal rulers of Desinganad. Once a city of palaces, Kollam has been known to the outside world, by the time honoured proverb, "Once you have seen Kollam you would no more need your illam (Home)" The history of the district as an administrative unit can be traced back to 1835,when the Travancore state consisted of two revenue divisions with headquarters at Kollam and Kottayam. At the time of the integrating of Travancore and Cochin in 1949,Kollam was one of the three revenue divisions in the state. These three revenue divisions were converted into districts. Shencottah taluk was merged with Madras state consequent on the implementation of the state Reorganisation Act of 1956. When Alappuzha district was formed in 1957, Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Mavelikkara, Karthikappally. Chenganuur and Thiruvalla Taluks were united to the new district. When Pathanamthitta district was formed on 1st July 1983, the entire Pathanamthitta Taluk and nine villages of Kunnathur Taluk of the district were also removed. Now the district has a single revenue division with headquarters at Kollam. Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Karunagappally and Kollam are the five taluks in the district.  Thangasseri (5 km from Kollam town): This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri lighthouse which is 144 feet high, is open to visitors from 1530 - 1730 hrs. There are buses at 15 minute intervals from Kollam town. Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple (11 km from Chadayamangalam): This temple situated on the Thiruvananthapuram - Kottayam MC Road is an idyllic example of rock cut temple architecture. Jatayupara: A huge rock at Chadayamangalam takes its name from the mythical bird Jatayu in the epic Ramayana, who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after failing in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita. Ochira (34 km north of Kollam town): The unique feature of this famous pilgrim centre is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma Temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. Ochira Kali in mid June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival) in November/December are the two main annual festivals. Ochira Kali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battle field). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields, and splashing water in every direction. There are frequent buses from Kollam and Alappuzha. Kulathupuzha (64 km from Kollam town): Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road, Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha Temple. The Vishu Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Kulathupuzha. The Thenmala railway station is just 10 km from here. Ariankavu (70 km from Kollam town): Situated on the Kollam - Shenkottai road, Ariankavu is famous for the shrine dedicated to Sree Sastha. Mandala Pooja and Trikalyanam celebrated in the month of December are the main festivals here. There are frequent buses to Ariankavu from Kollam. Rameshwara Temple : This temple which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple give one the impression that the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws. Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu: The residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. The ashram is accessible both by road and boat. Ph: 0476-2897578 Thirumullavaram Beach (6 km north of Kollam town): This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre and has frequent bus connections to the town. Mayyanad (10 km south of Kollam town): Mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temples. The most important of the nine temples here is the Subramanya Temple at Umayanallor. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Mayyanad. Sasthamkotta (29 km from Kollam town): This vast fresh water lake surrounded by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha Temple which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. There are frequent bus services from Kollam. Accommodation is available at the PWD Rest House. Thenmala (66 km east of Kollam): Covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations, Thenmala is home to India's first planned eco-tourism project. Selected by World Tourism Organisation as one of the world's best eco-friendly projects, Thenmala has a leisure zone that includes winding pathways, a sway bridge and a boardwalk; a culture zone with an amphitheatre and a musical fountain and an adventure zone. For details contact: Ph: 0471-2329770 Fax:2337037 Email: info@thenmalaecotourism.com www.thenmalaecotourism.org For trained local guides contact: Ph: 0475-2344725 Palaruvi Waterfalls (75 km from Kollam town): Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel offer comfortable accommodation. Other attractions: Trekking to the waterfalls, bathing in the river. Picnic Village: This village located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main centre for recreational activities in Kollam. A 200 year old Government Guest House, an Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas are all housed in this vast tourist complex. Ashtamudi Backwaters: So called because of its 8 arms or channels, Ashtamudi Lake is the gateway to the backwaters. Located in Kollam District, this lake 16 km long and the second largest in Kerala, finds its way into the sea through the Neendakara estuary. The Kollam Boat Club provides boat rides on the lake as well as houseboat cruises. Telephone access code: +91-474 Air: Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram (71 km) Rail: Kollam is an important railhead of the Southern Railways. Enquiry Ph: 131 Road: KSRTC, Central Bus Stn. Ph: 2752008 Ferry services: The ferry station is adjacent to the central bus station (3 km from the railway station). Tourist information offices DTPC Tourist Information Centre, KSRTC Bus Stand Ph: 2745625 DTPC Tourist Office, Guest House Complex, Asramam Ph: 2750170 Department of Tourism - District Office, Govt. Guest House Ph: 2743620.